I Like, I Don't Like

This weekend I began to see the first glimpse of hope that my family may be ready to embrace some healthier eating habits.

It started when we ran out of milk before grocery day arrived. I don't like to run to the store for last minute items if I don't have to so I offered almond milk to my family as a substitute. Trysten, who is our most enthusiastic milk drinker, drank the almond milk and said he liked it! That was all the encouragement I needed. Maybe we could switch to almond milk althogether?!

Paris wasn't as fond of the nut milk. I then did what any mom would do to influence her child to make a good choice. I talked about sick, malnourished cows with bleeding, infected udders who gave milk that needed to be boiled and flavoured because no-one would ever drink it otherwise. I think I completely grossed her out. I'm not sure I've convinced her about the merits of almond milk and at this point she may just opt out of any milk!

Shawn wasn't happy with my decision either. In fact, he was downright mutinous. I asked for a two-week trial period. If he and the kids still wanted cow's milk after two weeks of almond milk, then they could go back. He's pretty sure that he'll want to go back.

On Sunday, we ran out of regular syrup for the french toast so I offered my Agave syrup to Trysten instead. He liked that too! I went to pour out the last drops of the Aunt Jemima and he waved it away. The Agave syrup is sweeter he says. I called Shawn and reported that we were now going to completely switch to Agave syrup since Trysten has now converted and the US Costco offers two bottles of the nectar for the price of one over here.

"I don't want to hear anymore about what Trysten likes!" Shawn exclaimed.

I was feeling pretty good. I have always been free to eat as healthy as I want to (within budget) but Shawn has definitely set the pace as to how much influence I've had over my kids. Part of the problem is my own inconsistancy over the years but for the most part, I have championed the healthful habits that we've established.

Today I told Trysten he could help himself to a glass of almond milk after dinner. He hesitated and then proceeded to tell me that he doesn't want to hurt my feelings but that he doesn't really like it. It tasted good at first but has an aftertaste of almonds. Really...imagine that...an almond aftertaste!

Shawn laughs and now I'm not feeling as confident about the outcome of our two-week experiment.